Nature Archives - Page 3 of 11

Ninette Kruger

1 March 2023
Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Featured Artists, Metallurgy, Nature, Pewter, Photography, Resin, Stylized

PROCESS AND PURPOSE

Born in South Africa, Ninette Kruger has always enjoyed being creative and explored different mediums until she discovered pewter embossing in 2004.

She taught herself the basics from an instructional book, and later attended a more advanced techniques workshop at a pewter studio in Johannesburg. Since then , she has been focused on refining her technique and thoroughly enjoying metal embossing as a hobby. “I started out with a career in the food and hotel industry, which I absolutely loved, and completed my MBA in 2006. I quickly realised the corporate world was not for me, and set out to carve out a creative career for myself. I immigrated to New Zealand with my family in 2016 and during lockdown 2020, I attended an online artist masterclass that changed my world.”

Brenda Liddiard

1 April 2022
Abstract, Acrylic, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Featured Artists, Figures, Impressionism, Landscape, Mixed Media, Nature, Oils, Painting, Symbolism, Watercolour

LYRICAL FLOW

Being involved in the arts as a songwriter, singer and musician for most of her life, Brenda Liddiard became interested in painting around 2000. A big influence and inspiration in this discipline was her late brother, Chris Liddiard, who was a watercolour artist based in the UK. Brenda and her brother were born in Essex in the UK, Brenda now living in Auckland, New Zealand.

With her brother's influence, Brenda started her painting career using watercolours. She attended many workshops and summer schools with well respected tutors including Allie Eagle, Cushla Parekowhai, Jane Zusters, James Lawrence, Sue Daly, Maree Wilson, Phillipa Blair and Brett A’Court. “At age 50, finding a new creative path was very exciting for me, it opened up a whole new world. I wanted to pursue the learning for as long as possible and realised this was something I could do as I grew older.”

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Jenny Geelan

1 February 2022
Abstract, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Featured Artists, Nature, Oils, Painting

INTERNAL DRIVE

Self-taught, Jenny Geelan has created all her life. “My grandmother, Mabel Drummund taught me to embroider when I was five. I clearly remember one morning at her home, being so proud of my work. However as I lifted it up to show her, we realised I had embroidered it to the table cloth. All the teacups and saucers, plates and biscuits went flying! She was unfazed and calmly helped me clean up. She told me my work was lovely!” With encouragement like that and her Aunty Lucy who became a gentle driving force in her career, Jenny tells us a bit more:

“I have to credit my beautiful Aunty Lucy as a gentle driving force in my art career. I stayed with her on the Kapiti Coast during school holidays. She would take me on long beach walks where we would stop to look at the shapes in driftwood, pick up shells to draw or sit on the beach with a sketchbook and draw any beauty around us. She taught me to admire nature in its raw form and to see the small details that can be easily overlooked. Her loving encouragement was priceless. Aunty Lucy was the first person to call me an artist, that was an incredible thing for a small child to hear.

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David Traub

1 February 2022
Abstract, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Ceramics, Contemporary Art, Featured Artists, Glass, Maori, Nature

Born in New York, USA, David Traub acquired a B.A. in Ceramics and Photography from the East Texas State University (now known as Texas A&M Commerce), and an MPhil. in glass from Stourbridge College of Art and Technology in Stourbridge, England. David lives in Whanganui in New Zealand and has blessed New Zealand with his masterful work.

After graduation, David became fixated on glass making and joined a Texas craft community where he set up his first studio. That was in August 1973 which was when he taught himself how to blow glass and there he remained for the following 12 years.

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Beatrice Carlson

1 February 2022
Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Carving, Expressionism, Featured Artists, Glass, Jewellery, Metallurgy, Nature, Stylized, Symbolism

EVOLVING INSPIRATION

“I have ‘a genetic fashion disorder’ with a great grandmother fine linen embroiderer, two grandmother seamstresses and a French fashion design diploma.” So says Beatrice Carlson, an interdisciplinary artist with an impressive background of training.

Since 1988, Beatrice has worked and trained in French fashion design and pattern-making. She learned printmaking at Studio One in Ponsonby, mentored by Beth Serjeant in the years 2009 - 2011.
“From 2017, my art practice has evolved to Silversmith. I have been trained at the Whau Studio by the well known Ilse Marie Erl contemporary jewellery artist in Auckland. I was also selected with 12 other NZ jewellery artists to be part of the HandShake Project 2020 - Jewellery Masterclass by the international artist Iris Eichenberg.”

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Magda van der Walt

1 December 2021
Abstract, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Encaustic, Expressionism, Featured Artists, Impressionism, Nature, Painting

IRONING IT OUT

Mixed media artwork embraces so many mediums, differing creative processes and ways of getting to that all-important final result. We hear about the use of all sorts of medium and materials, however for Magda van der Walt, the word ‘wax’ changes everything.

“The moment I melted the first small block of wax on the hot travelling iron, I was hooked. It is a medium like nothing else I have ever experienced. It can fluctuate between solid and liquid within a few seconds and it dries solid in a single breath, she says. “It retains texture and reflects light in a way no other medium can. Working with it is almost meditative; definitely therapeutic.”

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Keeley Eastwood

1 December 2021
Abstract, Acrylic, Animals, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Drawing, Featured Artists, Impressionism, Ink, Nature, Printing

EASTWOOD MYTHOLOGY

Myths, legends and the other-worldly creatures that bring them to life have long caught the attention of young and old. Authors and illustrators alike have been caught in the web of tales spun across generations. The fantasy genre is one of the key elements that sparked something in Keeley Eastwood and became one of the core inspirations behind her works.
Photos by Brad Mosen Photography

“As a child I have memories of loving illustrated children’s and young adult’s books and televised stories featuring anthropomorphic animals, fairies, mermaids and other mythological creatures,” she says. “These included the Beatrix Potter series, Wind in the Willows, tales about Greek mythology, The Dark Crystal, The Chronicles of Narnia, The NeverEnding Story, The Borrowers, Labyrinth…” Keeley also describes human emotion / states of being, animals and her love for the natural world as other major influencers.

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Cindy Woest

1 December 2021
Africa, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Figures, Impressionism, Nature, Oils, Painting, Realism, Seascape

HONEST ABANDON

While visiting Dougie Chowns one Sunday, I met a neighbour of his, Cindy Woest. Cindy is a very talented woman with a pioneering spirit and endless ‘get up and go.’ She has the ability to tramp into a spot she enjoys, with her canvas and paint, and just - in a couple of hours - produce a painting so true to the view, yet with a loose, pleasing technique. Cindy also writes for this magazine as well as others and is indeed, multi-talented. She tells us her story

I love being outside – the sights, sounds and physical connection with everything outdoors makes me somehow feel part of a larger whole. Being in nature, as a specific part of the ‘outside’, leaves me with a sense of generic wellbeing that travels with me when I return to my ‘inside’ and very average life. The uplifting impact of this residual feeling (which can last for days) has drawn me into capturing that ‘happiness essence’ so that I can use it to stir up good memories for myself and hopefully others viewing my work.

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Madison Rogers

1 October 2021
Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Contemporary Art, Featured Artists, Jewellery, Metallurgy, Nature, Stylized, Symbolism

SACRED GEOMETRY

Having always enjoyed working with her hands and anything to do with crafts, by the time Madison Rogers entered high school, she knew she wanted to pursue a career that would allow her to develop and explore her creative skills. With her favourite subject at school being metalwork, she investigated career options that would embrace both her artistic side and her love of working with metal.

“It was around this time that I learned a friend of mine’s father was a jeweller and gem setter. This sounded like the perfect option for me and I pursued this with vigour.” She went straight from high school to study at Hungry Creek Art and Craft School, graduating after four years with a Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Jewellery. “The biggest motivating factor for me to become a jeweller was the overwhelming need to create. To have the skills and knowledge to turn raw materials and a concept into a functional, wearable, beautiful piece of jewellery that is not only meaningful to me, but also becomes something special and cherished by others. I love contributing to the meaningful moments in people’s lives - engagements, weddings, birthdays, graduations or anniversaries etc.”

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Froyle Davies

1 August 2021
Abstract, Acrylic, Artists, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania, Featured Artists, Nature, Painting

BRUSHSTROKE MILEAGE

By Matt Mortimer

There is something to be said for the lighthouse in the storm. To being the beacon of hope that shines through the darkness, piercing the gloom with a positive message to those braving the ravaging seas. Akin to this element of light across stormy waters and threatening skies, is the uplifting attitude and message behind the paintings of Manawatu-based artist, Froyle Davies.

Her wonderful outlook is summed up in her thoughts to budding creative types everywhere. “My best advice is mileage under the brush. Don’t give up. Keep creating, keep experimenting and keep learning. If you are an artist then you have to create. For me, painting is as necessary as breathing. Don’t let any art establishment or disappointment stop you from pursuing your goals. Not everyone will like what you do, but someone will. Find where you fit and go on and shine, she says.”

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Chris Dews
DEWSY ART Chris Dews was born in the Isle of Wight, UK, and is the…
Jamie Harkins
ABOVE: Jamie creating his work on Mount Maunganui Beach, Tauranga THREE DIMENSIONAL PERSPECTIVE Always wanting…
Joanne Luker
ABOVE: Rangitoto Porcelain SHARDS OF JOY Born in the UK, Joanne Luker loved art at…
Sonja Walker
ABOVE: Sonja with her Tasman National Art Award Merit Award painting - 'Everything but the…
Jill Richards
Above: Golden Days COLLAGE AND STITCH Jill Richards’ family originated from the UK, then moved…